Combining the elements of an anthology and a dictionary of literary terms, this introduction to literature is a brief, straightforward guide to reading and understanding poetry, fiction, and drama. The text focuses on how representative works exemplify the conventions of each genre and defines all the important literary elements of plot, theme, imagery, and metaphor. Designed to introduce students to the major literary theories and illustrate the practical application of these methods, the text provides an excellent, short introduction to literary theory, terminology, and appreciation.